Elusive Tomlinson in disguise

Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

On Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson ran like a beast, and on Monday, he dressed the part.

“I’m just a fill-in for LT,” said a man wearing a gorilla mask.

The football world was immensely impressed Sunday when Tomlinson posted 240 yards of total offense and scored three touchdowns, and so was the “guest” gorilla.  

“As a gorilla, I don’t think I could catch him.”

Tomlinson had plenty of reasons to smile a day after turning in his best performance of the season.  The Chargers turned in their third game of at least 400 yards of total offense this season, thanks in large part to LT and the work of the men up front. 

“I thought that offensively we were able to play a complete game,” Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said.  “We threw it well and we ran it well.  I thought that the offensive line did an excellent job in blocking in the running game.  The offensive line was very, very solid in the protection phase.  It may have been the best we’ve played in the line this season.” 

The Chargers were in good spirits Monday, despite not experiencing a luxury that sometimes comes following a win.  Instead of being given a “Victory Monday” day off to celebrate, the Bolts were on the field to make their corrections and begin preparing for the Cleveland Browns.  

“It was unanimous,” Schottenheimer said with a sense of sarcasm.  “We haven’t done anything yet.  We’ve gone out and played well enough to win five games out of seven, but we’ve got more than half a season left.  There just wasn’t (a VictoryMonday) today.”

“I would like to think that our players understand that in this business, you’re only as good as your next performance.  Anything that you’ve done to this point really doesn’t matter.  It’s irrelevant.  We’ve worked hard to get to 5-2 and the midpoint of the season is at hand.  We’ve got another game at home.  We’ll approach it on that basis.”  

Power blue

The Chargers will don their “Power Blue” Throwback jerseys and celebrate alumni weekend Sunday when they host the Browns.  A host of former Chargers coaches will be on hand this weekend as the team honors its rich history.  The Bolts have won three of their last four games in the Throwback jerseys, including a 23-13 win over Pittsburgh earlier this season.

Phillips, Olshansky could return

The Chargers could have two defensive starters back Sunday barring any setbacks this week.  Linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) and defensive end Igor Olshansky (knee) have a shot to practice and play this week after missing some time.  

“I asked (Igor) today if he’s going to play and he said, ‘Yep,’” Schottenheimer said.  “That’s all I needed to hear.  We’ll have to wait and see how he does this week, but I know he feels much improved.”

Phillips ran without any discomfort Monday.  His main concern is having the quick burst that has allowed him to rack up six sacks this season.  Safety Clinton Hart suffered a hip flexor strain that could keep him out of some practice but doesn’t appear serious.